Masterpiece Theater is En Vogue's second project since former member Dawn Robinson left to pursue a solo career. The group's remaining members--Cindy Herron, Terry Ellis, and Maxine Jones--have put together a collection of love-themed songs over classically composed melodies, accentuated by the En Vogue trademark awesome lead vocals and outstanding harmonies.
When the four young ladies made their debut in the late '80s, the music industry quickly embraced their captivating beauty and impeccable vocal abilities that set an unspoken standard for future female groups to follow (though no one has even come close). A decade later, the group lacks one voice, but their sound is still mesmerizing.
"Riddle," the debut single, has hints of "Never Gonna Get It" and "You Don't Have To Worry" mixed in this mid-tempo tale of betrayal. A catchy, familiar beat makes this single worthy of a listen, not to mention the mentality of the "leading star," who's fed up with her man's infidelity and decides to move on. As the listener enters the Love Suite, the album's four-song detour through love lost, the scene set is one of a failed relationship, covering ample ground from the confessing "Love You Crazy" to the surrendering "Whatever Will Be Will Be."
As if being viewed on a screen or on a stage, relationships are addressed in detail: from realizing one has actually fallen into love's clutches ("Love You Crazy"), to acknowledging there's a problem when one has developed ("Sad But True"), to recognizing one's strength within when it seems the situation has become unbearable ("Love Won't Take Me Out"), and finally deciding to move on when all else fails ("Whatever Will Be Will Be").
The melodic, musical flow of the Staple Singers' "Let's Do It Again" resurfaces in "Number One Man." Masterpiece Theater consists of 12 tracks and two intros. Straying away from the usual up-tempo, hip-hop-influenced tracks, En Vogue incorporates classical instrumentation into their menagerie, adding a dramatic twist to this musical "show".
All recordings courtesy of Elektra Records. ΓÇ£RiddleΓÇ¥ and ΓÇ£Latin SoulΓÇ¥ written by D. Foster, T. McElroy, T. Ellis, C. Herron, M. Jones; courtesy of EMI Blackwood Music, Inc./2 Tuff E-Nuff Songs/EV Music Publishing Co. (BMI). ΓÇ£Those DogsΓÇ¥ written by D. Foster, T. McElroy, T. Ellis, C. Herron, M. Jones, M. Woods, R. Page, T. Woods; courtesy of EMI Blackwood Music, Inc./2 Tuff E-Nuff Songs/EV Music Publishing Co. (BMI)/Ringum Publishing/Fatsax Publishing/Pashtone Publishing (BMI).
